Mr Sherman, was agst the motion & for fixing an equality of privileges by the Constitution.
Mr Langdon was in favor of the motion, he did not know but circumstances might arise which would render it inconvenient to admit new States on terms of equality.
Mr Williamson was for leaving the Legislature free. The existing small States enjoy an equality now, and for that reason are admitted to it in the Senate. This reason is not applicable to new Western States.
On Mr Govr Morris's motion for striking out.
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Ct ay. N. J. ay. Pa ay. Del. ay. Md no. Va no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Mr L. Martin & Mr Govr Morris moved to strike out of art XVII, "but to such admission the consent of two thirds of the members present shall be necessary." Before any question was taken on this motion,
Mr Govr Morris moved the following proposition as a substitute for the XVII Art:
"New States may be admitted by the Legislature into this Union; but no new State shall be erected within the limits of any of the present States, without the consent of the Legislature of such State, as well as of the Genl Legislature."
The first part to Union inclusive was agreed to nem: con:
Mr L. Martin opposed the latter part. Nothing he said would so alarm the limited States as to make the consent of the large States claiming the Western lands, necessary to the establishment of new States within their limits. It is proposed to guarantee the States. Shall Vermont be reduced by force in favor of the States claiming it? Frankland & the Western county of Virginia were in a like situation.